Senate Panel Considering Retail Sales Tax Bill

The Senate Ways & Means Committee is considering a bill that would change the rules regarding retailers paying sales tax for customers.

Senator Chuck Purgason of Caulfield, the sponsor, says that while sales taxes on items can be paid by retailers, current law prohibits the retailers from making it known that they will assume responsibility of paying those taxes. This would allow retailers to advertise they are willing to pay the sales tax owed by customers.

Purgason provides an example of how some retailers are put at a disadvantage under current law. He points to the sales tax holiday, which many municipalities observe prior to the start of the school year. He says retailers in municipalities which have opted out of the sales tax holiday are at a disadvantage, adding that by being allowed to advertise that they will pay the sales tax for the consumer, the playing field is leveled. The bill is SB 42 .